topic Re: Distance from end of lens to subject in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 15:26:37 GMT

Is there an easy way to see the distance in feet when reviewing pics. I’d like to know how far away the subject was. A friend’s Nikon has it as part of metadata but I’m not seeing it in the Canon metadata

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

kvbarkley — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 16:36:19 GMT

It will not be from the front of the lens. It will be from the sensor, and only certain lenses provide the data. Moreover, you might need DPP to see it.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

TCampbell — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:23:11 GMT

Focus distance is measured from the sensor (there's a universal mark on nearly every camera body ... looks like a circle with a horizontal line drawn through the center of it)

See: http://www.photokonnexion.com/definition-focal-plane-mark/

The camera in that photo happens to be a Canon camera, but it doesn't matter... every camera manufacturer uses that same symbol and has for years... you can find this on cameras that are 50 years old. On some older cameras it was just a line (no circle) but the line with the circle has been the industry standard for a very long time.

Many lenses will report the focus distance to the camera ... but not ALL lenses. If the lens reports the info, then Canon includes it in the image meta-data.

The distance from the front of the lens to the subject is sometimes called the "working distance". This info is not in the meta-data (the industry standard is to go by "focus distance" not "working distance"). If you really wanted to know the "working distance" you'd have to measure from the focus mark to the front of the lens and subtract that from the focus distance. Just place the camera nose-down (lens down) on a flat table and measure the height from the table to the focus plane mark.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:31:30 GMT

Thank You. I was hoping the exif data would list the distance as I am asked after a picture is printed what distance I was.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 18:34:16 GMT

Thank you - on my laptop - DPP does not work well - it keeps crashing. Do you know where I can find the list of lenses that provide that info?

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

CaliforniaDream — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 19:10:09 GMT

Quote: " If you really wanted to know the "working distance" you'd have to measure from the focus mark to the front of the lens and subtract that from the focus distance. Just place the camera nose-down (lens down) on a flat table and measure the height from the table to the focus plane mark."

And of course if the lens extends as you use the variable focal length set it to the same fl. That info is usually in the meta data also.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 20:24:26 GMT

Thank you. I think I should hit the resolve button. I don't think I presented my question clearly. If I'm looking at a picture on the laptop and I'm not pleased with the sharpness of the subject I was focusing on - it would be nice to know approximately how many feet I was from the subject.

When out shooting wildlife - there are birds I think I can get a decent shot and they do not come out. I am not a good judge of distance so I was hoping there was an easy way of finding the the focus distance. I am using the Canon 100-400 L II lens. Must be I would need the larger lense to get that information displayed in the metadata.

Thank you

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

kvbarkley — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 20:26:15 GMT

@Sadie1 wrote:
Thank you - on my laptop - DPP does not work well - it keeps crashing. Do you know where I can find the list of lenses that provide that info?

I don't think Canon provides that info.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

kvbarkley — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 20:28:28 GMT

What camera do you have? Some will display the points that were in focus when the shot was taken - as long as you have lens coreections turned off.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 20:29:33 GMT

I have the Canon 5D Mark IV

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

kvbarkley — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 21:03:59 GMT

From page ~400 of the manual:

This is arguably better for your purposes than knowing the focus distance.

Your lenses should provide the distance info.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

CaliforniaDream — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 00:05:02 GMT

Great camara and great lens. When I try to shoot wildlife I use the top wheel to select the focus point but often have to anticipate. I pick the wildlife or an item at the same distance and lock the lens focus (hold at half press) and then compose/try to catch the animal befor pressing the rest of the way. Usually works.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 01:14:25 GMT

@kvbarkley wrote:
@Sadie1 wrote:
Thank you - on my laptop - DPP does not work well - it keeps crashing. Do you know where I can find the list of lenses that provide that info?
I don't think Canon provides that info.

Macro lenses. It is my understanding that only ertain combinations of professional grade bodies and professional macro lenses provide that info in DPP. There is a slider that indicates focus distance in DPP.

I do not think any of the super telephoto lenses report distance in DPP. The DoF can become too great to give a precise distance to the focused subject. Even the Lightroom plugin I have only reports a range of distances.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 01:45:02 GMT

@Sadie1 wrote:
Thank you. I think I should hit the resolve button. I don't think I presented my question clearly. If I'm looking at a picture on the laptop and I'm not pleased with the sharpness of the subject I was focusing on - it would be nice to know approximately how many feet I was from the subject.
When out shooting wildlife - there are birds I think I can get a decent shot and they do not come out. I am not a good judge of distance so I was hoping there was an easy way of finding the the focus distance. I am using the Canon 100-400 L II lens. Must be I would need the larger lense to get that information displayed in the metadata.

Thank you

The EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM has a well earned reputation for being razor sharp. But, there is a learning curve associated with using super telephoto lenses. You have to learn how to adjust the camera, and how to adjust the lens.

The lens has a focusing distance switch, which I normally leave set to “3m to Infinity”. This setting makes a world of difference when focusing on subjects further than 10 feet away, which is nearly everything I aiming at with the lens.

The lens also has different IS, Image Stabilization, modes. Use Mode 1 for focusing on a stationary subject when shooting handheld. Use Mode 2 when you are panning to track a subject, either horizontally or vertically. Mode 3 disables IS until you press the shutter. I would stick to Modes 1 or 2 if you are just starting out. I almost never use Mode 3, BTW.

Camera settings are far more complicated. Every shooting scenario is different, but there are certain strategies that you may want to follow. Strive for a high shutter speed, always, when shooting most types of action photography. Sometimes you want to capture motion blur, but for most wildlife you want the fastest shutter that is practical. I would strive to use 1/800, or faster. I typically try to shoot with the lens at 1/1600, or faster.

Unlike many lenses, you can shoot wide open with the lens and capture razor sharp images. This can help gain a full stop in our shutter speed. Dial in the maximum aperture, and go for it. This is also where the camera shooting mode can make a difference. Should you Av, Tv, or M? I prefer to have complete control of aperture and shutter speed, so I shoot in Manual with ISO set to Auto.

Setting exposure is the easy part. Selecting the best AF focusing mode, and drive mode, can make.a big difference. And, then there is the question of AF point selection. Do you select it, or should you let the camera select it?

My rule of thumb says when using One Shot focusing, then use Single Shot drive mode. When using AI Servo focusing mode, then use Continuous Shooting drive mode. I like to use the former for stationary subjects, like a bird on a tree branch. I like to use the latter for birds in flight.

https://cpn.canon-europe.com/files/product/cameras/eos_5d_mark_iii/AF_guide_EOS5D_MarkIII_eng_January2013.pdf

As far as setting up AF points and AF tracking settings, you really should become familiar with the AF Shooting Guide. Generally, I will use the center AF point for One Shot mode. AI Servo mode is more complicated because of the sophisticated tracking features, and AF points display modes.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 03:13:46 GMT

Thank you. I have that set up on my 5D Mark iii - but on the Mark IV - "Disable Display" is showing off and when I hit the set button to change it - it does not give me the option.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 03:14:53 GMT

Thank you - I am fairly new to wildlife photography and still struggle with it when the lighting is bad. I have not tried focus lock yet. Thanks

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 03:23:02 GMT

Thank you so much for the link and your reply with good information. I have read many articles and watched YouTube video's. I will admit the AF tracking system has me still trying to figure it out. I will read the link you provided and hopefully get to where it makes sense to me. If the lighting is good - the shots are coming out pretty good. But when the weather is very cloudy and gray - the subjects are fuzzy and grainy. Thankfully the 5D IV is much better than my 5D iii in the grain/noise.

Thank you

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 04:04:19 GMT

Quick question - I have both the 5D Mark III and Mark IV. When I was setting up the AF settings for the IV - there seemed to be a few different options. The guidebook you provide the link for - is there one available for the Mark IV or are they the same? Thank you

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Waddizzle — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 22:02:23 GMT

@Sadie1 wrote:
Quick question - I have both the 5D Mark III and Mark IV. When I was setting up the AF settings for the IV - there seemed to be a few different options. The guidebook you provide the link for - is there one available for the Mark IV or are they the same? Thank you

I do not know. There is one for the 7D2 and the 1Dx II, both of which have AF systems that are similar to the 5D4.

Re: Distance from end of lens to subject

Sadie1 — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 22:06:14 GMT

Thank you